Van’s Aircraft RV-6A

Pilot’s Operating Handbook

N686MS

N686MS

PERFORMANCE – SPECIFICATIONSSPAN: ……………………………………………………………….. 23’ 0”LENGTH: ……………………………………………………………. 19’ 9”HEIGHT: ……………………………………………………………. 6’ 8”

SPEED:Maximum at Sea Level …………………………………….. 182 KnotsCruise, 75% Power at 8,000 Ft …………………………….. 167 Knots

RANGE (includes 3 gal. for taxi, takeoff & climb): 75% @ 8000’ , no reserve .…………………………………. 695 nm 55% @ 8000’ no reserve ….………………………………. 840 nm75% @ 8000’, one hour (8 gal) reserve …………………….. 540 nm55% @ 8000’, one hour (8 gal) reserve …………………….. 650 nm

RATE OF CLIMB AT SEA LEVEL …………………………….…. 2,050 FPM

SERVICE CEILING …………………………………………..……. 19,500 FT

TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE: ……………. ……………….……… 535 Ft

LANDING PERFORMANCE: ………………..…………….……… 500 Ft

STALL SPEED (CAS):Flaps Up, Power Off ……………………………………… 47 KnotsFlaps Down, Power Off …………………………………… 43 Knots

MAXIMUM WEIGHT (Normal Category): …………………………. 2000 LbsEMPTY WEIGHT …………………………………………. 1189 LbsMAXIMUM USEFUL LOAD: …………………………………….. 811 LbsBAGGAGE ALLOWANCE ………………………………………… 83 LbsWING LOADING (Pounds/ Sq. Ft) ………………………………… 17.27POWER LOADING (Pounds/ HP) …………………………………. 10.5FUEL:

Capacity …………………………………………… 38 Gal TotalType ………………………………………………………. 100 LL

OIL CAPACITY ……………………………………………………. 8 Qts

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ENGINE: Lycoming ……………………………………………….. O-360-A1APROPELLER: Hartzell ……………………………………. HC-C2YL-1BF

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AIRSPEED LIMITATIONSSPEED KIAS REMARKS

VNENever Exceed Speed 182 Kts Do not exceed this speed in

any operations.

VNOMaximum Structural Cruising Speed

156 Kts Exceed this speed only in smooth air.

VAManeuvering Speed 115 Kts Do not make full control

movements above this speed. Full elevator deflection will result in a 6g load at this speed.

VFEMaximum Flap Extended Speed

96 –20 deg87 - Full

Do not exceed this speed with flaps down

Vy Best Rate of Climb 75 Kts

Vx Best Angle of Climb 65 Kts

Vs Stall Speed Clean 47 Kts

Vso Stall Speed Landing Configuration

43 Kts

AIRSPEED INDICATOR MARKINGS

MARKING KIAS VALUE OR RANGE

SIGNIFICANCE

White Arc 43 – 87 Kts Full Flap Operating Range. Lower limit is Vso. Upper limit is maximum speed with flaps extended

Green Arc 47 – 156 Kts Normal Operating Range. Lower limit is Vs. Upper limit is maximum structural cruising speed

Yellow Arc 156 – 182 Kts Operations must be conducted with caution and only in smooth air.

Red Line 182 Kts Maximum speed for all operations

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AEROBATIC INFORMATION

Weight Limitation – 1375 Pounds

Recommended Entry Speeds:

Loops, Horizontal Eights 120 – 165 KtsImmelman Turns 130 – 165 KtsAileron Rolls, Barrel Rolls 105 – 165 KtsSnap Rolls 70 – 95 KtsVertical Rolls 155 –165 KtsSplit-S 85 - 95 Kts

PREFLIGHT INSPECTION1. CABIN

a) Documentation -- Available In Airplaneb) Aeronautical Charts – CURRENT AND APPROPRIATE TO FLIGHTc) Seat Belt Securing Control Stick -- RELEASE d) Ignition Switch -- OFFe) Avionics -- OFFf) Master Switch -- ONg) Engine Monitor – ONh) Engine Monitor – RESET FLIGHT TIMEi) Fuel Quantity -- CHECK QUANTITY

-- VERIFY ENGINE MONITOR PRESETj) Flaps – DOWNk) Master Switch -- OFFl) Carb Heat – COLD

2. EMPENNAGEa) Tail Tie-Down -- DISCONNECTb) Control Surfaces -- CHECK freedom of movement and securityc) Static Sources (both sides of fuselage) –CHECK for blockage

3. RIGHT WINGa) Aileron -- CHECK freedom of movement and securityb) Flap -- CHECK securityc) Wing Tie-Down -- DISCONNECTd) Main Wheel Tire -- CHECK for proper inflatione) Chock -- REMOVEf) Right Wing Tank – SUMPg) Fuel Quantity -- CHECK VISUALLYh) Fuel Filler Cap – SECURE

5. NOSEa) Engine Oil Level -- CHECK, do not operate with less than 4 quartsb) Propeller and Spinner -- CHECK for nicks and securityc) Cowl Hinge Pins – CHECK for securityd) Air Inlet -- CHECK for restrictionse) Nose Wheel Tire -- CHECK for proper inflationi) Master sw – ONj) Fuel Boost Pump – ONk) Gascolator – SUMPl) Fuel Boost Pump – OFFm) Master sw -- OFFn) Chock -- REMOVEo) Fuel Tank Vents -- CHECK for blockage

6. LEFT WINGa) Wing Tie-Down -- DISCONNECTb) Main Wheel Tire -- CHECK for proper inflationc) Chock -- REMOVEd) Left Wing Tank -- SUMPe) Fuel Quantity -- CHECK VISUALLYf) Fuel Filler Cap -- SECUREg) Pitot Tube Cover -- REMOVE and check for blockageh) Landing Light -- CHECK conditioni) Aileron -- CHECK freedom of movement and securityj) Flap -- CHECK security

BEFORE STARTING ENGINEa) Preflight Inspection -- COMPLETEb) Seat Belts and Shoulder Harnesses -- ADJUST and LOCKc) Fuel Selector Valve -- DESIRED TANKd) Avionics and Electrical -- OFFe) Brakes -- SETf) Circuit Breakers -- CHECK INg) Canopy adjust

STARTING ENGINE (cold)a) Mixture -- LEANb) Throttle to 1/8c) Prop -- HIGH RPMd) Master Switch – ONe) Flaps -- UPf) Fuel Boost Pump -- ONg) Prime – Mix to rich (4-5 seconds when cold)h) Fuel Boost Pump -- OFFi) Propeller Area -- CLEARj) Ignition Switch -- STARTk) Alt. Field, Avionics & Instruments – ONl) Oil Pressure -- CHECK 25 psi at idlem) Position & Strobe – ON

STARTING ENGINE (Warm)n) Mixture -- LEANo) Throttle to 1/8p) Prop -- HIGH RPMq) Master Switch – ONr) Flaps -- UP s) Fuel Purge Lever -- Pullt) Fuel Boost Pump – ON (5-10 seconds to purge)u) Fuel Boost Pump -- OFFv) Propeller Area -- CLEARw) Ignition Switch -- STARTx) Alt. Field, Avionics & Instruments -- ONy) Oil Pressure -- CHECK 25 psi at idlez) Position & Strobe – ON

BEFORE TAKEOFFa) Brakes -- SETb) Canopy -------- Main Latch – SECUREc) Flight Controls -- FREE and CORRECTd) Flight Instruments – SET

Altimeter – CORRECT PRESSURE D/G – CORRECT HEADING A/H – ALLIGNED G-Meter – RESET

GPS ONe) Fuel Selector Valve -- DESIRED TANKf) Mixture -- RICH (below 3000’)g) Elevator and Aileron Trim -- NEUTRALh) Throttle -- 1700 RPM

1) Magnetos -- CHECK (125 max drop, 50 differential)2) Suction – CHECK (5” Hg)3) Prop – cycle CHECK operation4) Engine Instruments -- CHECK5) Throttle -- IDLE

i) Radios -- SETj) Fuel Boost Pump -- ONk) Transponder – ALTITUDEl) Passenger – READY and willing

TAKEOFF

NORMAL TAKEOFFa) Wing Flaps – UPb) Prop – HIGH RPMc) Throttle -- FULL OPENd) Elevator Control – LIFT NOSE WHEEL (at 55KIAS)e) Climb Speed -- 110 KIAS

SHORT FIELD TAKEOFFa) Wing Flaps – 10 Degb) Prop – HIGH RPMc) Brakes – APPLYd) Throttle – FULL OPENe) Mixture – RICH (above 3000’ lean to obtain max RPM)f) Brakes – RELEASEg) Climb Speed – 80 KIAS (Vy)

ENROUTE CLIMBa) Airspeed – 110 - 130 KIASb) Throttle – 25 in Hg, or full throttlec) Prop – 2500 RPMd) Boost Pump – OFF at 1000 feet AGLe) Fuel Pressure – CHECKf) Mixture – LEAN above 5000’

CRUISEa) Throttle – 23 in Hgb) Prop – 2300 RPMc) Trim – ADJUSTd) Mixture – LEAN to 50 deg C rich of peak

POSTFLIGHT

AFTER LANDING a) Wing Flaps – UPb) Boost Pump – OFFc) Transponder – STANDBY

ENGINE SHUTDOWNa) Flaps – DOWNb) Prop – FULL FORWARDc) Throttle – IDLEd) CHT decidedly droppede) All electrical sw – OFF f) Avionics and Instr.-- OFFg) Mixture – IDLE CUT-OFFh) Wait for shut downi) Master – OFF

SECURING AIRCRAFTa) Wheel Chocks b) Wing & Tail Tie-Down c) Pitot Tube Cover d) Cockpit e) Ignition Key – REMOVEDf) Master and Electrical Switches – OFF

Performance

Cruise Performance at 8,000’:KTAS RPM MAP Fuel Flow % Power167 2400 23” 8.4 GPH 75%157 2200 23” 7.4 GPH 65%151 2200 21” 6.3 GPH 55%

No Wind Range at 8,000’: All range calculations include 3 gal. for engine start, taxi, takeoff and climb. Engine is leaned for best economy.

One hour (8 gal.) reserve:75% Power ……………………………………………….. 540 nm65% Power ……………………………………………….. 575 nm55% Power ……………………………………………….. 650 nm

No Reserve:75% Power ……………………………………………….. 695 nm65% Power ……………………………………………….. 745 nm55% Power ……………………………………………….. 840 nm

WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATAMake: Michael Stewart Model: RV-6ASerial: 25708 Registration: N686MSMaximum Weights:

Aerobatic Category ………………………… 1375 LbsUtility Category ……………………………. 1650 LbsNormal Category …………………………… 2000 Lbs

Datum= 60 inches forward of wing leading edge (L.E.)Design C.G. Range = 15% to 29% of wing chord

8.7” to 16.8” from L.E.68.7” to 77.1” aft of Datum

Wing L.E. = 60 inches aft of datumMain wheel right = 84.25” aft of datumMain wheel left = 84.25” aft of datumNose wheel = 28.50” aft of datum

Fuel …………………… 70” aft of datumPilot and Passenger …… 87.4” aft of datumBaggage ………………. 117” aft of datum

Aircraft weighed empty in level flight attitude.(Includes 8 qts. of oil, no fuel)Sample:

Weight Arm MomentAircraft 1189 83504Fuel (6lbs/gal) 70 Pilot 87.4 Passenger 87.4 Baggage 117 Total CG = Total Moment / Total WeightCG = in aft of datumCG Range = 68.7 to 77.1 in aft of datumEmpty CG = 70.23

WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATA

*All CG ranges for possible flight conditions are within design limits

Left Main Rt. Main Nose Totalweight 447 443 299 1189

Component Weight * Arm = MomentLmain 447 84.25 37659.75Rmain 443 84.25 37322.75Nose 299 28.5 8521.5sub total 83504

CG Range 68.7 to 77.1 in aft of datumEmpty C.G 70.23

Max. Gross Weight Full Baggage, No PaxItem Weight Arm Moment Item Weight Arm MomentAircraft 1,189 83,504 Aircraft 1,189 83,504Fuel (6 lbs/gal) 228 70 15,960 Fuel (6 lbs/gal) 228 70 15,960Pilot 250 87 21,750 Pilot 250 87 21,750Passenger 250 87 21,750 Passenger 0 87 0Baggage 83 117 9,711 Baggage 83 117 9,711Total 2,000 152,675 Total 1,750 130,925CG: 76.3375 CG: 74.81Zero Fuel CG 77.15 Zero Fuel CG 75.54

Pilot, Pax, No Baggage Pilot, No Pax, No BaggageItem Weight Arm Moment Item Weight Arm MomentAircraft 1,189 83,504 Aircraft 1,189 83,504Fuel (6 lbs/gal) 228 70 15,960 Fuel (6 lbs/gal) 228 70 15,960

Pilot 250 87 21,750 Pilot 200 87 17,400Passenger 250 87 21,750 Passenger 0 87 0Baggage 5 117 585 Baggage 5 117 585Total 1,922 143,549 Total 1,622 117,449CG: 74.69 CG: 72.41Zero Fuel CG 75.32 Zero Fuel CG 72.804

Engine Information

Model: …….. Lycoming O-360 A1A, Fuel InjectedHP: ………… 180Fuel: ……….. 91/96 or 100/130 octane minimum ……….. 100LLOil Filter: ….. Champion CH48110

OIL: Avg MIL-L-6082 Ashless Dispersant

Ambiant Air Grades Grades Above 80F SAE 60 SAE 60,20w50Above 60F SAE 60 SAE 6030 – 90F SAE 40 SAE 40,50 0-70F SAE 30 SAE 30,40 or SAE 40 Below 10F SAE 20 SAE 30 or 20w30Oil Sump Capacity …….. 8 U.S. QuartsMinimum Safe Quantity ...2 U.S. QuartsOperating Conditions:

Oil Inlet Temp: 82 deg C desired, 118 deg C MaximumOil Pressure: 95 psi max; 55 psi min; 25 psi idleFuel Pressure: ? psi max; ? psi min; ? psi desiredCyl. Head Temp 66 deg C – 205 deg C desired range, 260 deg C maxMax oil consumption .45qts/hr. at cruise

Conversion table:Celc. Fahr. Celc. Fahr. Celc. Fahr. Celc. Fahr. Celc. Fahr.

10 50 60 140 110 230 160 320 210 41016 60 66 150 116 240 166 330 216 42021 70 71 160 121 250 171 340 221 43027 80 77 170 127 260 177 350 227 44032 90 82 180 132 270 182 360 232 45038 100 88 190 138 280 188 370 238 46043 110 93 200 143 290 193 380 243 47049 120 99 210 149 300 199 390 249 48054 130 104 220 154 310 204 400 254 490

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

AIRSPEEDS FOR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

Engine Failure After Takeoff:Wing Flaps Up ………………………… 80 KtsWing Flaps Down …………………….. 70 Kts

Maneuvering Speed (Va) ………………………. 115 Kts

Maximum Glide ………………………………… 80 Kts

ELECTRICAL / ALTERNATOR FAILURE1. Avionics –OFF2. Master Switch – OFF, both sides3. Master Switch – ON

IF ALTERNATOR IS STILL OFF-LINE:

4. Master Switch – OFF5. Electrical Switches – OFF6. Alternator Breaker – PULL7. Avionics – OFF8. Main Feed Breaker – PULL9. Alternate Feed Switch Guard – UP10. Alternate Feed Switch – ON11. Avionics – ON as required12. Electrical Equipment – ON, as required13. Flight – TERMINATE as soon as practical, aircraft is on

battery reserves only.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

ENGINE FAILURES

ENGINE FAILURE DURING TAKEOFF RUN1. Throttle –IDLE2. Brakes – APPLY3. Wing Flaps – RETRACT4. Mixture – IDLE CUT-OFF5. Ignition Switch – OFF6. Master Switch – OFF

ENGINE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF1. Airspeed – 70 KIAS2. Mixture – IDLE CUT-OFF3. Fuel Selector Valve – OFF4. Ignition Switch – OFF5. Wing Flaps – AS REQUIRED6. Master Switch – OFF

ENGINE FAILURE DURING FLIGHT1. Airspeed –80 Knots2. Boost Pump – ON3. Fuel Selector – SWITCH TANKS4. Mixture – RICH5. Ignition Switch – BOTH, LEFT, RIGHT6. Transponder – 7700

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

FIRESDURING START ON GROUND

1. Cranking – CONTINUE, to get a start which would suck the flames and accumulated fuel through the carb and into the engine.

If engine starts:2. Power – 1700 RPM for a few minutes3. Engine – SHUTDOWN and inspect for damageIf engine fails to start:4. Throttle – FULL OPEN5. Mixture – IDLE CUT-OFF6. Cranking – CONTINUE7. Fire Extinguisher – OBTAIN8. Engine – SECURE

ENGINE FIRE IN FLIGHT1. Mixture – IDLE CUT-OFF2. Fuel Selector Valve – OFF3. Master Switch – OFF4. Cabin Heat and Air – OFF

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN FLIGHT1. Master Switch – OFF2. Avionics – OFF3. All Other Switches (except ignition) – OFF4. Vents/ Cabin Air/ Heat – CLOSED5. Fire Extinguisher – ACTIVATE (if available)

CABIN FIRE1. Master Switch – OFF2. Vents/ Cabin Heat – CLOSED3. Fire Extinguisher – ACTIVATE (if available)

WING FIRE1. Nav & Strobe Lights – OFF2. Landing Light – OFF

FAR 91.125 - ATC light signals.ATC light signals have the meaning shown in the following table:Color and type of Meaning with Meaning with

signal respect to aircraft on the surface

respect toaircraft in flight

Steady green Cleared for takeoff Cleared to landFlashing green Cleared to taxi Return for landing Steady red Stop Give way to other

aircraft and continue circling.

Flashing red Taxi clear of runway in use

Airport unsafe—do not use

Flashing white Return to starting point on airport

N/A

Alternating red and green

Exercise extreme caution

Exercise extreme caution

Compass Headings, VFR under 18,000ftCourse Altitude0 – 179 degrees Odd thousand +500 180 – 360 degrees Even thousand + 500